The Llanelly Mercury and South Wales Advertiser

EUROPEAN POLITICS. u TWO VIEWS. YOUNG LIONS. While the Scriptures speak of the mer- chants of Tarshish," it also associates with these traders another class, designated as the "young lions thereof." This shows to us that there is allied to Britain certain com- munities who will have a separate evistence. It needs no demonstration to any fairly well- informed Bi-itou to-day to prove that the young lions of Britain are her colonies. Their importance has been clearly seen by the statesmen of the British Empire, and at last there has been compiled an offidal census, published in 1906, of "the British Empire which extends to every continent and climate, and includes representative:-) of practically every race, creed, language, and caste." The Union Jack floats over more than a fifth of the land surface of the globe, and, it. is alleged by jealous rivals, claims a freehold of about four-fifths of the water. There are four hun- dred million subjects to King Edward; of these there are only fifty-four millions whites ,and only fifty-eight millions Christians. The following tables, taken from the census, may interest and prove how important are the .merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof." AREA AND POPULATION. Square miles. Population. BRITISH EMPIRE 11,908,378 5)98 401,704 United Kingdom 121,089 41,458,721 Isle of Man & Channel Islands 303 150,370 Colonies. Deoendencie?, Protector;! fees, &c. 11,786,986 356,792,613 COLONIES, &o. In Europe 3,703 472,502 In Asia— India-Empire 1,766.597 291.361,056 Other Possessi- ns 118,030 6,208,808 In Afr;ca- West Africa 557.164 28.992,166 SUlh Africa 1 .(>26,602 6,674,527 Othfer Possessions 460,513 7,362,995 In America— N rth Arieri,-ta 3,908,327 5,613,260 West Indies and Central America 19,578 1.614,406 South Aœpric:L.. 111,500 298,119 In Australasia— Australian Com- » monwealth 2,972,918 3,836,154 New Zeland 104,471 s\6.2.14 Other Possesions 107,493 512,376 In 1861 the Empire comprised S, million square) miles of territory. The total is now nearly 12 millions: thus, in the short space of forty years, the aggregate area of our Colonies, Dependencies, and Protectorate has increased by about 40 per cent. Of this huge territory, somewhat more than four millions of square miles are situated in North, Cen- tral, and South America: three millions in Australasia; two and a half millions in Africa; and nearly two millions in the Indian Empire and other parte of Asia; while the portion that lies in Europe constitutes a very inconsiderable1 fraction of the Whole, amount- ing to only 125,095 square miles, of which 121,089 constitute the area of the United Kingdom. It is one of the beauties of the Bible that these stupendous items ate condensed in a couple of phrases—" merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof." SIRAXGE BELIEFS. There is place for reflection when we think of how very few of all these vast communities-' know the truth that is revealed in the Bible. Christ once asked the question: "When the Son of man cmneth, shall he find the faith on the eanh 1" (Luke xviii. 8). Superstition will abound, as the following tables will show:— In the matter of religion, the Registrar- General points out that uo figures are avail- able in the L'nited Kingdom, as the question of faith is not raised, in the census returns. He, however, counts the majority of the people of the British Isles as Christians, and gives the following tables of actual and esti- mated figures:— XON-f'HT!rSTTAV> HN I'MI R \TFii Jewish 7S.2H Hindu 208.842,278 Mahometan 62,881.>11 Zoroastrian (Par-ii) g:\2 Sikh 2.195,114 Jain liuddbist 15,043.432 j Confucian 14,180 P, imitive Ani- mistif. Pagan 8,910,828 Agnostic 5,521 t. 370 | Other C:i,itj;.¡n U:.>- iiyions 4,678 ESTIMATED TOTALS. j ^unions. Hindi;" 2C8 Mahometans 94 Christians 53 Buddhists 12 rrividtive Anjn, lH ¡, Pagans, and other Non-Chris* i an Kelighnus 23 Total 395 Over a million persons, chiefly heatli«u, 1\'flll(" ,i? PO religion in tho Cape 1)1tf!)F,?- 1, Gold Coast Co?n'.y?'ie mass of the people still obseivc fetish wor- ship. The difficulties of the classifiers may I be imagined from the fact that the religions, returned included such curious faiths as:— Alexandrian. Ambwsia!), Antinomian. Astronomioa). dalathuropian. Canopist. Cosmosophist. Ethicist. j Faithist, j Christian Freethinker. Christian Israelite. Conditional Immortalist. Dipper. E-oteric Christian. Hoke. Hv1ozoi"t. ilillenial Dawnitc. Ue-IncarDationVst. Sung Quong. Tipon. t: I o ,t n. Uiopian. I Tunker. ABJU HATJO, ) As a further proof of superstition, even I amongst- the so called Christians, we quote t,lie following form of oath taken by the Prin- cess Ena, drawn specially for her by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham, when she left Protestanism to join Catholicism in I 1906. (And yet, strange t?) T)?eciple will still believe that there is good, and bad every- where !):— I, having before my eyes ,ihe Holy Gos- pel, which I touch vith my hand, and, knowing that no other can be saved without that faith which the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church holds, believes, and teaches, against which. 1 grieve that I have greatly erred, inasmuch as I have believed doctrines opposed-to her teaching, I now, by the help of ("rod's grace, profess that I believe the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church to be the only and true Church established on earth by .testis Christ, to which I submit myself. with toy whole heart. I firmly believe all the ar- ticles that she propounds to my belief, and I reject and condemn all that she rejects and condemn, and I am ready to observe all that she commands rnc. And especially I profess that I believe One cnly God in Three Divine Persons distinct from and equal to each other that is to say, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; the Catholic doctrine of the In- carnation, Passion. Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ: and the personal union of rhe two Natures, the Divine and the Human; the Divine Maternity of the most holy Mary, together with her most, spotless Virginity: and also her Immaculate Conception; The True Real and Substantial Presence "f the Both" of Our Lord .1 PSUS Christ, ingdhm with H' Sou! .;nd bivtrdry in the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist: "The Seveyi Sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind; .that is 'Of.jy. BaI,tu'i::1. I fir!dandn. Ilnly "Ericha- j ¡[;st, Penance. Ex!r,?!(e I'nciion. HVdv Order?,j Matrimony; "i J7!)'" bc-ioo' o: I;rg tt or\\  I>"  !m?i of' the D e .i d Ever: risKnc i. J The primacy not only of honour but of jurisdiction. of the Roman Pontiff, successor of St Peter, Prince of Apostles, Vicar of Jesus I Christ; The Veneration of the saints and of their 1 images; The authority of Apostolic and Ecclesias- 'I tical traditions and of the Holy Scriptures, which we must interpret and understand only in the sense which our Holy Mother the Catholic Church has held and does hold, to whom alone it belongs to judge of their meaning and interpretation: I "And everything else that has been (lefined and declared by the Sacred Canons and by the General Councils, especially the Holy Council of Trent and by the (Ecumenical Council of the Vatican. With a sincere heart, therefore, and with unfeigned faith, I detest and abjure every I error, heresy, and sect opposed to the said Catholic Apostolic and Roman Church. So Ii help me GOD and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand. I (To be continued, God willing.)

I Local Chemist Rebuked. I I STERS STRICTURES BY THE REGISTRAR. I The examination in bankruptcy of Morgan W. James, chemist. Llaneily, was resumed at Carmarthen on Wednesday of last week be- fore the Registrar (Mr. Thomas Parkinson) and the Official Receiver (Mr H. W. Thomas). Debtor's gross liabilities amounted to L1908 3s. 4d., and his deficiency to £1576 4s. 4d. He attributed his failure to law costs incidental to the use of his trade name, deterioration of business owing to removal, expenses and fit- ting up of new premises, and pressure of creditors. He commenced business in 1885, when he purchased the business' of the late. rr. Gwilym Evans for £ 2150, of which Mr. Evans agreed to forego £ 950. Debtor was de- fendant in an action brought against him re- I cently by the Ouinin-e BitTers Company to I prevent him using the late Mr. Gwilym Evans's name, and an injunction was granted. Debtor was subjected to cross-examination by Mr. Thomas Gee, secretary of the Quinine I Bitters Company. Replying to Mr. Gee, deb- tor admitted receiving a letter from the com- J pany's solicitor informing him that he was I infringing their rights in trading as Gwilym Evans and James. He denied refusing to withdraw the name of Gwilym Evans from I his labels. Mr Gee: You did not obey the injunction of Mr. Justice Neville, and Mr. Justice Pickford ¡ afterwards ordered you to alter the labels at once?—Yes, but it was quite a misunder- standing. Although your liabilities were ?1113 in 1908 you continued to trade, knowing you were in- solvent ?—Probably. You have said that when you took over Mr Gwilym Evans's business you were virtually swindled. The dead man is not here to answer for himself. You say that the busi- ness was not worth what you are supposed to have paid for it ?-That is so. You have accused the late Mr. Gwilym Evans to have virtually robbed you. Did not Mr. Evans pay into the bank for you two sums of R580 and £ 900?—I don't know. I Then your memory is very short indeed. Did you put. in a claim against the executors I of the late Mr. Gwilym Evans for the alleged I loss of the. stamp office?—I don't know. Debtor's replies evoked a stern rebuke from the 'Registrar. If you continue to answer in this fashion," lie said, I shall adjourn the I l examination sine die. You will then find yourself in a very serious position. You are a bankrupt here to-day and must answer rea- sonable questions in a proper manner, and not in this careless and flippant way. I shall not put up with it. I shall hand the matter over to the Judga if you are not careful." Mr. Gee (to debtor): Hase you not made a claim for £ 500 against the executore, and when Mr. W. Howell, solicitor, asked you to I sign a release you ordered him out of your shop don't know. I Mr. Gee: You wanted to capitalise this -9500 for the stamp office which was lost by the bank. You went out of your way to villify the late Mr. Gwilym Evans, and in justice to him I aiii bore t.o stand up for him. In reply to the Registrar, debtor ultimately admitted making a claim against the execu- tors for £ 500. Mr. Gee: He has indulged in litigation at I our cost. and has defied the Court. The examination was provisionally closed. I FAILURE AFTER PROSECUTION. I Richard. Jones, who was described as a labourer, living at the Post Office, Five Roads, near Lifi-neliy, stated that, his gross liabilities were a2 18s., his deficiency being £ 72 18s. He said that his failure was brcnight about through a police prosecution, and it appeared that he was charged at the Carmarthenshire Quarter Sessions last October with maliciously- wounding a neighbour, and. was fined £10. The complainant afterwards brought a High Court action against him for damages for as- sault, which the bankrupt did not defend, and damages were assessed against him for £ 60. The examination was closed. ¡

EX-MONEYLENDER. APPLIES FOR RELIEF. 1 At a meeting of the Board of Guardians held on Thursday last an application for relief was made- by an ex-moneylender residing at Fron Terrace, near Capel Farm. The appli- cant was 68 years of age, and his wife 64. The OffiMr said he had a daughter, who I ? as a dressmaker, at home. There was a son 21 years of age, a joiner's improver, who was not at home at the present time. He came home at wee-ends, but the applicant did not know his address nor where he was work- ing. He (the officer) had to make enquiries for his address and where he was working. Mr. Pugh said he. generally sympathised with all deserving cases. He did not dispute I that this was a deserving case, but he thought it was a case which the Guardians should not relieve. It was a case for the sons to maintain their father, so that he should not appeal to the Guardians for relief. I The Chairman (Mr. R. C, Jenkins) said he I agreed with Mr. Pugh. The applicant was j quite able to work. I The application was declined. I

EIFFEL TOWER LEMONADE. This article ig undon btedlv the most delicious, coo!, refreshing drink obtainable, so healthful, so convenient, so cheap. 4td. per bottle. A CHILD'S PARALYSIS. Little Boy Helpless. Three Hospitals fail. Cured by DR. ( ASSELL'S TABLETS. Mrs. Watts, of Sheep Street Lane, .Etching- bain, Sussex, wrttesEighteen months ngo my little boy developed Infantile Paralysis. He was so bad that he could not stand, ~o I took him to a hosldtal, when lie was put in a plaster of Paris jacket, but lie was too weak to wear it. Then I got him into another hos- pital. where he remained a long time, and yet another, but he got no better, so I took him home. Ho was praeiically helpless wben hiiii 13.oni(. I (.'assell's Tablets, but in three mon the he could mn about, and it now oum' j w all. All consider his core- J)¡j, ) Dr. Cassell's Tablets cart be got at any j hemisis f.u- 10d., Id. 1 £ «1„ and 2s. Sd., and are h (:'f(.r ["1:'11 :C\:I'' };Lii ::al'/eltl and I rve. ;-?om.nch ami kidn-ay troubles.

A DIVORCE ACTION. i LLAXELLY BREWER'S LIAISON. I DECREE NISI GRANTED. In the Divorce Court on Friday last, before the President, the undefended divorce case of Valentin v. Valentin came on for hearing. Mr. Le Barr said this was the petition of Mrs. Ethel Marian Valentin, of Culmarsh House, Regent's Park, her maiden name hav- ing been Taylor. The respondent, her hus- band, was Mr. Basil William Valentin, a brewer, of Llaneily. The marriage was con- tracted on the 5th of March, 1802, at the Parish Church, Bolton. Subsequently they went to reside at Llanelly. There was no issue of the marriage.. They lived on very good terms until 1906, and early in 1907 Mrs. Valentin discovered that the respondent was carrying on an intrigue with a girl named Rose Buckley, a daughter of the late Mr. James Buckley, Bryncaerau Castle, Llanelly. The petitioner asked her husband to give up this young lady, but he seemed very undeci- ded, at times promising to do so, and at other times refusing. In November, 1908, the wife filed a petition' for the restitution of con- jugal rights, but the respondent refused to obey that, and declined to return to his wife. Then, on the 22nd March last, a. petition was filed for dissolution, ma.king certain charges, but when the evidence came to lie looked into it wa.s thought it was not sufficient. Further inquiries were then made, with the result that the respondent was charged with adultery on specific dates at the Sackville Hotel, Bex- hill-on-Sea, in 1908 and 1909. The petitioner, a stylishly-dressed lady, then went into the box and bore out her counsel's opening statement. She related 'how she had endeavoured to persuade her husband to give up the young lady, and that he told her he had finally decided not to do so, Her husband and herself were both well known to her solicitors, Messrs Andrews and Thomp- son, of Swansea. Mr. H. R. Thompson and Mr Andrews were called, and briefly spoke to the dates on which the different proceedings were taken. Mr. Clarke, manager of the Sackville Hotel, Bexhill-on-Sea, said the respondent and Miss Buckley had occupied the same bedroom at his hotel on two occasions. Mr. Thomas Jones said he saw the couple at the hotel in 1907, and identified them. The President: There is nothing to identify the lady at the hotel as Rose Buckley. Is it necessary ? Mr Le Barr: I did not think it was. I will ask Mr. Jones-was the lady you saw at the Sackville Hotel with the respondent the lady who is here to-day as petitioner! Mr. Jones: Certainly not. The President: That is sufficient. "Decree nisi with costs.

I Estates Committee. A meeting of the Estates committee was held at the Town Hall on Thursday last., Mr. W. Brannvell Jones presiding. The other members present were Messrs. John Thomas, Win. Roberts, J. Walter Thomas, E. Willis Jones, together with the Clerk (Mr. H. W. Spowart) and the Surveyor (Mr G. Watkeys). RE-ARRANGING THE MARKET. The Surveyor said lie had gone into the question of re-arranging the stalls of the Mar- ket. The stalls on the north of the Market Pavilion could be removed to within four feet of the roadway. The Chairman said that by moving the stalls where Mr. Ley now carried on his busi- ness nearer to the roadway they would have room for another row of stalls. The only re- venue they were losing was that of Mr. Ley. The Surveyor said Mr. Ley required some room. because he had loose goods on his stall. Mr John Thomas said he regretted -that the matter had cropped up again. He did not wish to go into personalities, but when he was there he expected them to do justice all round. The Chairman: I think we are all here for the same purpose. Mr Walter Thomas: We are here doing jus- tice to one man, whilst, we persecute another. The Chairman: Nothing of the kind. When we discussed this matter before, a resolution was passed and nothing was done. We de- cided that Mr. Chidzoy should be removed, but he was allowed to erect a partition and 11 have the stall permanently. Mr. John Thomas: I have gone over the Market affairs for the last ten years, and I am II almost sick of it. When I was chairman of this committee we had enough of it. We should allow Mr. Rees to manage this part, I and not interfere. If you interfere-too often, I do you nor think it will interfere with the re- venue ? i The Chairman said that the loss from Mr. I Ley was about £ 80. Considering the mauer from a revenue point of view, they had an ex- tra row, which would mean additional re- Ira woiild iiie-,tii TO- Mr. Walter Thomas: Will they be occupied The Chairman: It is anticipated that they will. If was Mr. Rees that made the sugges- tion. Mr. John Thomas said he had no personal interest at all. They were removing a trader who had developed his business, which might ruin his trade. He had been building up his business like a farmer improving his farm, and now someone else wanted it. He would strongly oppose the recommendation. Mr William Roberts said that Mr. Ley, who was a wholesale merchant, could remove his stall j.o the upper portion of the Market, where there was no congestion. Mr. Bramwell Jones: This hardship is Caused because there is no method. Mr. J. Walter Thomas enquired what the system was in other markets. Mr. John Thomas: It is just as bed as it is here. \Yí2 ought to go to the Swansea Mar- ket. (To the Chairman) Will you come with me? The Chairman: Not at the ratepayers' ex- pense. I will accept your invitation (laugh- ter). .Mr. John Thomas: I will go there. It was subsequently decided, to defer the consideration of the matter, pending the visit of the Committee to the Swansea Market. TRADES EXHIBITION. I A let.ter was read from the promotcrs of the Trades Exhibition, applying for the use of the Market Hall in May, 1910; for the holding of the exhibition. It was decided to accede to the application at the usual feel. AN EXPENSIVE SCHEME. I The Surveyor reported that, the cost of lay- ing out the floor of the Market Hall with asphalt for a skating rink would be £ 350, and in maple £ 450. The estimated cost of work- iug the rink exclusive of rent would he £9 per- week. The Chairman proposed that they do not proceed with the work. Mr. William Roherts obsernxl. that he in formed the people who were interested in this matter, that he was not in favour of it, and that lie would only support it on condi- tion that the cost would he recovered by re- \enue. He found, however, that that could not be done. Mr J. Walter Thomas said he would, second the proposition. It was decided to reo'iunnend the Couucil to proceed ff.f1 the work, ?

BURSAR SCHEME. 1 I ADOPTED BY THE LLAXELLY COMMITTEE. A special meeting of the Urban Education Authority was held on Wednesday evening of last week for the purpose of considering the position with regard to the bursar and student teacher scheme. There were present Mr. H. D. Rees- (chairman), Mr. William Roberts (vice-chairman), Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Thomas, Messrs. F. G. Vivian, J. Roberts, n. James Davies, W. Bramwell Jones, D. n. Jones, J. Simlett, E. Willis Jones, E. T. Jones, the Clerk (Mr. Ifor W. Watkins), and the Clerk to the Council (Mr. H. W. Spowart). The Chairman inquired whether the mem- bers thought it advisable to disc-ues the mat- ter in the presence of the reporters, in view of the fact that they had sought counsel's opinion on the matter, and that it was to be read that evening. Mr W. Bramwell Jones: Do you advise that it be taken in private ? The Chairman: I think so. in view of the fact that we are at cross purposes in other directions. Mr. D. J. Davies inquired whether there was any need for it, seeing that counsel's opinion ould be suppressed. The Chairman: But will the reporters un- dertake to do that Mr. Davies said they generally did so when asked. Mr. Bramwell Jones: But won't it be neces- sary to refer to counsel's opinion in the dis- cussion ? Mr. David: It is not usual to publish coun- sel's opinion, but I do not see myself why the discussion of this question should not be quite open. The County Committee know the difficulties we have in the way of adopting the bursar scheme. Mr. Joseph Roberts said that if they were going to adopt the bursar scheme there was no reason why the reporters should not re- main, but if they were not going to adopt it, then it would not be, desirable to have the meeting reported. Mr. Bramwell Jones said they could not say before discussing the matter whether they would adopt the scheme or not. It was decided by a majority of one to allow the reporters remain. Mr. Spowart then read counsel's opinion on the question. The Chairman: It appears to me that we are practically in the. hands of the County Education Committee. Unless weare prepared to suggest some alternative scheme, and, of course, that means a question of cost, to the ratepayers, we shall be obliged to go in for the bursar scheme. However, the question is now open for discussion. Mr. J. Simlett: Can we have some idea as to what the coefc would be if we went in for a centre of our own? The Chairman: I should think it would be on a par with the cost of the old Pupil Teachers' Centre. The Clerk: But the old Pupil Teachers' Centre was for the whole parish, and this would be for Llanelly only. Mr. D. R. Jones: There would be nothing to prevent us holding the Centre at the Higher Elementary School. Mr. D. J. Davies: Can the Clerk give us the approximate cost, having regard to the num- ber of pupils at present ? The Clerk: I Mr Davies: That would mean a penny rate. Can the Clerk or yourself tell us whether the education would be more 6atisfactory at the County School than in an official centre of our I own. The Chairman: Personally, I feel that as there are persons specially qualified at the I County School, who can deal with special subjects, it is only natural that you would have better scholars from there. Mr. Bramwell Jones: I take it that even though we got a centre of our own, we should have to contribute towards the County School as usual? v I The Chairman: Yes. Mr. Bramwell Jones: So that it would mean I double expense to the ratepayers. Mr. D. J. Davies proposed that they should accede to the request of the County Educa- tion Committee to adopt the bursar and student-teacher scheme from August, 1910. The Chairman: Of course you will under- stand that the Cojinty Education Committee wish us to adopt it from August, 1909. Mr Joseph Roberts asked whether by adopt- ing the bursar scheme they as an .education authority would be reliev-ed of the responsi- bility of the payment of the bursars and the student-teachers in the following year. The Clerk: So far as the bursars are con- cerned we would be relieved, and the question ¡ of the appointment of student-teachers would I remain with the Committee Mr. Roberts: Will our adoption of the bur- sar scheme relieve us of our obligations so far I as the bursars and second-year pupil teachers are concerned ? The Clerk: I have given my answer; if, will I rest upon this Committee. Mr. Roberts asked whether in the event of their adoption of the bursar scheme they I would not be subject to the control of the Count,v Authority so far as the appointment. not of bursars but. of student-teachers were I concerned, I The Clerk: Oh! dear, no. You would have a free hand. Mr. Roberts: Then will you admit that, so far as the appointment of student-teachers is concerned, it would have to be confirmed by the County Authority? The Clerk: The appointment of student- teachers would have to be confirmed, by the I County Committee. I Mr. E. T. Jones: What are our financial obligations? I don't quite follow Mr Roberts. I Mr. Davies: Mr. Roberts has in mind the ¡ secondary education rate. I Mr Bramwell Jones: I take it that we shall have control as to the number of student- teaeliers we shall elect every year? I The Chairman: I think that is clearly the ¡ case. The Clerk: You would appoint as few as possible, I take it. Mr. Bramwell Jones: I think so, too, having ¡ regard to the experience of the past. ¡ Mr. J. Simlett asked what would, become of their present pupils who were over age now if Mr. Davies's motion were passed. Mr. Davies: We cannot help ourselves. Mr, Bramwell Jones seconded Mr. Davies's motion. Mr. D. R. Jones: Will I he in order in moving that we adopt the scheme in 1911'1 The Chairman: But what you propose is al- ready on the minute book, Mr. Jon/es. Mr. Simlett: How can you accept Mr. Davies's motion, seeing that we have already passed a resolution on the subject? Mr. Davies pointed out that since the reso- I lution was passed the County Education Committee had made a concession, and having regard to the invidious position they found themselves in, it was unnecessary to rescind the previous resolution. It was very unfortunate that a few pupils would be de- prived of going into the teaching profession, but they had to consider the system, and it I would be to the henefH of education in the end to adopt the scheme

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I National Peace Congress. I To the Editor of the "Llaneily Mercury." Sir,—We desire to call the attention -of your readers to the Fifth National Peace Congress of Great Britain and Ireland, which will lie haldin Cardiff on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of June. The Congress is arranged by the National Peace Council, and will be attended by delegates from numerous Peace Societies and other societies specially intere.st.ed in the promotion of peace and international arbitra- tion, from many parts of the country. .Previous Congresses have received distin- guished support. Lord Courtney oi Penwitb. was president of the first congress held in Manchester in .1901, the Bishop of Hereford presided over the second Congress at Bristol on 1905, and the Right Honourable Robert Spencef Watson over the Congress at Birming- ham in 1906, whilst the Right Honourable John Ellis was president at Scarborough in 1907. Last year the International Peace Con- gress was held in London, and, therefore, no meeting of tire National Congress was held. This year the President will be Sir William Collins, M.D., F.R.C.S., M.P., a man eminent not only in surgery, but also in literature and in public life as Member of Parliament and former chairman of the London County Coun- cil. To make arrangements for the Congress and provide hospitality for some of the delegates, an influential reception committee has been formed in Cardiff, of which the Bishop of Llandaff is president, and the vice-presidents are Mr. William Brace, M.P., Rev. Principal W. Edwards, D.D., Principal E. H. Chiffiths, F.R.S., The Hon Ivor Guest, M.P., Mr Donald Maclean, M.P., Mr. John Morgan (president -N f r Sidiia?, Free Church Council), Mr. Sidney Robinson, M.P., and Councillor H. M. Thompson. Amongst the subjects to be discussed at the ¡ Congress are the following:—Peace and the Churches; Militarism and Employment; Anglo-German Relations; the Limitation of the Right of Capture of Private Property at Sea; Conscription and Compulsory Military Service. The aim of the Congress is to assist in the maintenance of Peace, both by the promotion of international arbitration as a humane and rational substitute for war, and by fostering a national policy which may avoid giving offence to other countries either by unwar- ranted interference or by superfluous arma- ment. A principal feature of the Congress is the representation of local societies interested, who regard the promotion of international peace and goodwill as one of their secondary objects, if not their principal purpose. Invi- tations are, therefore, being addressed to the secretaries of several hundred societies, and to all the principal- churches and congrega- tions throughout South Wales and Mon- mouthshire, inviting each society or church to send two delegates to the Congress. Invi- tations are being addressed particularly to churches, trade unions, political associations, to associations of teachers and to temperance I any other philanthropic societies. It is pos- sible that some societies who might care to be. represented at the Congress, -and whose delegates the Reception Committee would cordially welcome, may have been inadver- tently overlooked. If the secretary of any I such society will communicate with either of the secretaries of the Local Reception Com- mittee, at the address given below, his society will at once receive an invitation to appoint delegates to the conference. A public meet- ing, at which all interested will be welcome, will be held on the evening of Tuesday, the 29th June, snd wiH be addressed by several prominent public speakers. There will aleo be some space reserved for the general public I at the day meetings of the Congress. I It is hoped that the Congress may have a permanent influence for good by organising throughout South Wales all opinion definitely in favour of peace. There are many persons in this district who strive to take an en- lightened and generous view of the natural aspirations and policies of other countries, who abhor panic and unnecessary expenditure upon armaments, and also believe that pres- sure should be put upon governments to sub- 'I mit disputes to arbitration before declaring war. With the object of uniting and giving expression to this large body of opinion, a proposal will be made at the end of the after- noon session of the Congress on Tuesday, June 28th, to found a Peace and Arbitration Society of South Wales and Monmouthshire. The delegates of societies and churches will be invited to become members; and all other I' persons anxious to support the movement should conununicate with one of the secre- taries of the Reception Committee, who will I propose them as original members of the new I society.—We remains, Sir, faithfully yours, J. P. LLANDAFF, Pres. Recept. Comm. JAMES, WAUGH, Hon. Treasurer. H. STANLEY JEVONS, Hon. Secretary. j 35, Windsor Place, Cardiff, ) 5th June, 1909.

Military Training on Sunday. I To the Editor of the "Llanelly Mercury." Sir,—The following letter has been forwar- ded to the Prime Minister by the Committee of the Lord's Has Observance Society:— The Lord's Day Observance Society, 18 Buckingham St., Strand, W.C.. June 14th, 1909. To the Right. Hon. 11. H. Asquith, K.C., First Lord of the Treasury. Sir,—I am instructed by my committee to call your attention to the persistent efforts now being made to utilize Sunday as a day for military exercises: at. present for the training of the Territorial Army; which, if permitted, will soon give rise to demands for the co-operation of the Regular forces. I am to urge that the ministry of which )-oi i are the head should use its authority to dis- courage so mischievous a movement, and should recognise that the day is already ear- marked by its Maker for higher and better purposes. It is not the first time in English history t.hat similar attempts have been made. In- deed, the fact that Royal and Ecclesiastical authorities favoured such misuse of the day three centuries ago is put forward as a sum- cient justification for modern proposals of the kind. But this shallow plea wilfully ignores the determined opposition which was aroused throughout the country, .and the disastrous results' to Church and State of disregard of such remonstrances. The responsible leaders in both departments of national life were swept away, by the storm which they had wantonly provoked, and their Sunday-trained warriors could not save them. I The Puritan spirit which recoiled from Sun- day drill, and favoured worthier methods of I employing the Lord's Day, secured better dis- cipline, and a more effective discharge of military duty than the irreligious spirit which scoffed at such scruples. History does not necessarily repeat. itself on precisely the same lines. Foreign invasion may conceivably replace civil war as a test oi national character and military prepared ness. But, assuredly, the experience of three hundred years since does not favour a return to methods which then failed so conspicu- I ous) y. My committee trust, therefore, ihut such I ret urn will be authoritatively cheeked. am, Sir., v-em obedient servant, ¡ FREDERIC PEAl, F. LA." LIJ.D.. I 8een.-iary.